Crossing the Appian Way
Acts 17:3
"Opening them, and setting forth that it was necessary that the Christ should suffer, and arise from the dead, and that this Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."
Rome, in the centuries before, during, and after, the coming, crucifixion, and resurrection, of Jesus, was the embodiment of 'Might makes right." Maybe you have heard of the term 'Smashmouth Football"...that is a team that literally beats the other team down through ferocity and force, often without finesse. Pure power, undiluted.
When Rome triumphed over an especially fierce opponent, it made sure to humiliate that nemesis to the nth degree. The 6000 captured at the end of the revolt of Spartacus were all crucified by the Romans along the Appian Way; that sent a gruesomely powerful and public message to all who would defy Rome.
With crucifixion being the pre-eminent tool of the Romans to enforce imperial might, one might think that its common usage denigrates the death of Jesus (i.e. what makes him so special when plenty of others died that way?). It is not what only happened, it is to who. People who dismiss Jesus don't accept his Deity. As only a great teacher, or whatever, his humiliating death--although brutal, was a common occurrence.
The Bible teaches Jesus took on our commonality, even the horrid commonality of the Cross.
"Opening them, and setting forth that it was necessary that the Christ should suffer, and arise from the dead, and that this Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."
Rome, in the centuries before, during, and after, the coming, crucifixion, and resurrection, of Jesus, was the embodiment of 'Might makes right." Maybe you have heard of the term 'Smashmouth Football"...that is a team that literally beats the other team down through ferocity and force, often without finesse. Pure power, undiluted.
When Rome triumphed over an especially fierce opponent, it made sure to humiliate that nemesis to the nth degree. The 6000 captured at the end of the revolt of Spartacus were all crucified by the Romans along the Appian Way; that sent a gruesomely powerful and public message to all who would defy Rome.
With crucifixion being the pre-eminent tool of the Romans to enforce imperial might, one might think that its common usage denigrates the death of Jesus (i.e. what makes him so special when plenty of others died that way?). It is not what only happened, it is to who. People who dismiss Jesus don't accept his Deity. As only a great teacher, or whatever, his humiliating death--although brutal, was a common occurrence.
The Bible teaches Jesus took on our commonality, even the horrid commonality of the Cross.
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